VIRAL VECTOR VACCINE SAFETY WORKING GROUP (V3SWG)

October 6, 2014:

We invite you to peer review the Brighton Collaboration V3SWG guidance on theoretical consequences of recombination of viral vector vaccines with wild type strains here. Initially identified as a priority issue by the WHO in 2003, this issue is relevant to the development of new viral vector vaccines (including Ebola) .

Researchers of new viral vector vaccines are also invited to complete a V3SWG Template for Collection of Key Information for Risk/Benefit Assessment. The V3SWG seek to facilitate scientific discourse among key stakeholders by increasing the transparency and comparability of information via this template. More info and template access at this link. For further questions, please contact Brightoncollaborationv3swg@gmail.com.

Press Release - Vaccinology in Africa Course 2014

October 8, 2014:

Following the success of the first “Vaccinology in Africa” course held last year in Accra, Ghana, this year’s course (www.jenner.ac.uk/vaccinology-in-africa) will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 13-17th October 2014, at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The course is jointly organised by the Jenner Institute, a partnership between the University of Oxford and The Pirbright Institute, with financial support from the Jenner Vaccine Foundation, Fondation Mérieux, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and industrial partners, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Merck. The themes of the course will include principles of vaccinology, major vaccines targets, vaccine development and clinical trials, and vaccine development in developing countries. By the end of the course, participants are expected to have gained considerable knowledge of a wide span of human and veterinary vaccinology areas.

This 2014 course will be attended by 30 carefully selected upcoming scientists residing in East and Central Africa drawn from over 270 applicants. The course faculty are drawn from the Oxford Vaccinology Course, the ADVAC course and other prominent scientists from sub-Saharan Africa.

The next “Vaccinology in Africa” course is expected to take place in Bamako, Mali, in 2015.